Amateur-built ZODIAC 650B accident near Eufaula, Oklahoma, July 12, 2022
On July 12, 2022 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 2015 amateur-built ZODIAC 650B, registered N452VC, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Eufaula, Oklahoma. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to a push rod that was incorrectly installed by the airplane owner.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 2022 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Eufaula, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ZODIAC 650B, built 2015
- Registration
- N452VC · registry record · serial 65-8452
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilots, who were both owners and builders of the airplane, while maneuvering during a local flight, the engine began to run rough. The engine power continued to decrease until they could not maintain altitude. Unable to reach a nearby airport, the pilot flying elected to perform an off-airport emergency landing. During the landing, the airplane impacted uneven terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 5 cylinder exhaust valve rocker arm attach stud/bolt had failed. About 5 flight hours before the accident, the owners had replaced the No. 5 cylinder exhaust valve, which included the removal and reinstallation of the rocker arm hardware. The push rod contained an oil passage hole on one end that allowed for lubrication of the rocker arm, and the other end did not contain an oil passage. According to the owner, during the installation he incorrectly installed the push rod in a backward position. The incorrect installation did not allow lubrication to reach the rocker arm, causing it to fail.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Owner/builder
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 444 hours in all; 51 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 386 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 29, 2021
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 888 hours in all; 212 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 805 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 19, 2021
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 285 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 15, 2022; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Westedt Corvair Conve (piston); 227 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 10:15 am from KGZL, 24 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGZL 121515Z AUTO 31008KT 280V350 10SM CLR 31/20 A2996 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on November 15, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Email Correspondence - Owner | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N452VC the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.